OBJECTIVES: To analyze and understand the treatment patterns in Argentinean children prescribed Genotropin^TM. Having local real-world data is vital to improve adherence and growth outcomes.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from patients enrolled in the Patient Support Program (PSP) from June 2012 to October 2022. The way to get the injection device, for all patients, is to enroll in the PSP. For this analysis age cutoff was 16 years, and adherence was defined as treatment discontinuation for non-medical reasons (delay in authorization/delivery or family/patient decision).

RESULTS: 1437 patients provided data for analysis. The mean age at diagnosis (mADx) was 7.04 years (SD 4.3), and mean age at start of treatment (mASoT) was 8.9 years (SD 4.23). Analyzed by diagnosis, mADx and mASoT were: 6.8 yrs (SD 4.3) and 8.4yrs (SD 4.9) for -Growth Hormone Deficiency/Hypopituitarism (n=506); 1.63 (SD 3.0) and 5.5 (SD3.9) for -Prader-Willi Syndrome-(n=36), 7.7 (SD 4.0) and 9.3 (SD 3.6) for -Short Stature idiopathic/small for gestational age- (n=690); 6.7 (SD 4.6), 8.82 (SD 3.7) for Turner Syndrome- (n=160) and 4.3 (SD5.6), 10.0 (SD 3.6) for Chronic Renal Insufficiency- (n=27).

Overall treatment adherence was 89.1% (n=1281). Among the 156 adherence failure patients, 43.5% (n=68) discontinued treatment due to delay in the treatment authorization or delivery was and 56.4% (n=88) due to personal decision. Private health coverage was significantly associated with adherence, 91.1% vs 80.5% in the public sector (p=0.00).

Mean duration of treatment among completers was 6.2 years (SD4.1), while in the group who discontinued the treatment for non-medical reasons was 4.1 years (SD 3.5).

CONCLUSIONS: The observed adherence rate reported here was similar to reports in the literature. However, discontinuation of treatment remains an issue, especially in the public sector. Strategies to improve adherence are therefore warranted in children treated with growth hormone.